Application of Project Planning Techniques in Construction Procurement: The Case of Nigerian Indigenous Contractors

Abstract

Construction projects procurement is more complex than other forms of general procurements. Hence, construction contractors require adequate planning to succeed. Many of the Nigerian indigenous contractors (NICs) are unable to plan their contractual requirements for successful delivery of projects, thus, impeding the Nigerian construction industry from meeting the construction needs of the nation. This study reviews NICs’ application of project planning techniques in construction projects procurement. The study used descriptive survey method and collective case study. Questionnaire is the instrument for data collection. Purposive sampling technique and stratified random sampling technique were used to select contractors for the case study. The case study was used to probe the questionnaire responses. Data from the questionnaires were analysed for reliability and significance tests, as well as descriptive statistics. Bloom’s taxonomy hierarchy was used to analyse the case study. Result reveals: some NICs’ used their central administration instead of their project managers to plan their projects operations, non-application of project planning technique by some NICs’, inappropriate application of planning techniques by majority of the NICs’ who apply it, and non-adoption of ICT in projects planning. The study recommends among many other that contractors should apply project management techniques, engage competent personnel, embark on continuous training, adopt ICT in their operations, invest in knowledge management; and standard form of contract used in Nigeria should be review to include a clause enforcing contractors to apply the appropriate planning techniques. Appropriate application of projects planning techniques by the NICs’ will facilitates their project management performance in the NCI.